NRA / ILA
Firearms Laws for
New York (As of February 2008) Compiled by:
NRA-Institute for Legislative Action
11250 Waples Mill Road
A synopsis of stAte lAws on purchAse, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(800) 392-8683
possession And cArrying of fireArms. www.nraila.org
QUICK REFERENCE CHART such handgun. A gunsmith or dealer in firearms licensed
in this state shall, within ten days of delivering to any
Rifles and person a handgun received by such gunsmith or dealer,
Shotguns Handguns forward to the division of state police, along with the
Permit to Purchase No* Yes original transaction report, the sealed container enclosing
Registration of Firearms No* Yes the shell casing from such handgun received from the
Licensing of Owners No* Yes manufacturer.
Permit to Carry No* Yes Upon receipt of the sealed container, the division
* Except in New York City of state police shall cause to be entered in an automated
electronic data-bank pertinent data and other ballistic
STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION information relevant to identification of the shell casing
and to the handgun from which it was discharged.
None. However, Article 2, Section 4 of the New York All firearm exhibitors must conduct a national instant
Civil Rights Law provides: “A well regulated militia being criminal background check prior to all firearm sales or
necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the transfers, including sales or transfers of rifles or shotguns
people to keep and bear arms cannot be infringed.” at a gun show.
It is lawful for NY residents to purchase or obtain
PURCHASE rifles or shotguns in a contiguous state and to receive and
transport said rifle and shotguns into the state, provided
No permit is required for the purchase of a rifle or the person is otherwise eligible to possess a rifle or shotgun
shotgun (except in New York City). under NY law.
A license to carry or posses a pistol or revolver is
required to purchase a handgun. (See HANDGUNS- POSSESSION—RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS
POSSESSION and CARRY) Elsewhere than the City of
New York, a person licensed to carry or possess a pistol or There is no state license requirement for the possession
revolver may apply at any time to the licensing officer in of a rifle or shotgun, so long as the rifle has barrel(s) at
the county of their residence for amendment of his or her least 16 inches in length and the shotgun has barrel(s) at
license to include one or more such handguns or to cancel least 18 inches in length.
a handgun held under the license. It is unlawful for any person convicted of a felony,
No person, firm or corporation engaged in the retail other serious offense, or who been certified as not suitable
business of selling rifles, shotguns or handguns, shall sell, to possess a rifle or shotgun (mentally incompetent) to
deliver or transfer any such gun to another person unless possess a firearm.
the transferee is provided with a gun locking device and a Generally, it is unlawful for anyone under the age
label on safe storage. of 16 to possess any firearm; however, a rifle or shotgun
Any business selling firearms must post a sign where the may be possessed by a person between 12 and 16 who
firearms are displayed or sold stating in bold print: “The is engaged in target shooting on a range supervised by a
use of a locking device or safety lock is only one aspect of military officer, certified instructor, or a parent, guardian
responsible firearm storage. For increased safety firearms or a person over the age of eighteen designated in writing
should be stored unloaded and locked in a location that is by such parent or guardian provided the adult has a hunter
both separate from their ammunition and inaccessible to safety certificate.
children and any other unauthorized person.” It is unlawful to possess 20 or more firearms as defined
Any manufacturer that ships, transports or delivers under NY law outside one’s home or business.
a handgun to any person in this state shall include in
the container a separate sealed container that encloses: a POSSESSION—HANDGUNS
shell casing of a bullet or projectile discharged from such
handgun, and any additional information that identifies A license is needed to possess a handgun in one’s
home or place of business. Application is made to the fingerprinting fee. The fee for each amendment to the
licensing officer of the city or county where the applicant license is $3.00 ($5.00 in Suffolk County). In New York
resides, is principally employed, or where his principal City and Nassau County, the City Council and Board
place of business as a merchant or storekeeper is located. of Supervisors, respectively, set the license fees without
An alien may obtain a pistol license if he or she meets regard to the state law limitation.
these requirements. The determination whether to Each handgun possessed must be listed on the license
grant the license is completely within the discretion of by make, model, caliber and serial number. The only
the licensing officer. However, the licensing officer must exception is possession of a properly licensed handgun by
state specifically and concisely in writing the reasons for another licensee or license applicant at a target range.
a denial. A denial can only be overturned in court if the The name and address submitted by an applicant to
denial is shown to be arbitrary and capricious. obtain the license becomes a matter of public record.
Westchester County may require the applicant to A licensee who moves his residence to another licensing
successfully complete a firearms safety course and test jurisdiction within the state shall provide notification of
in addition to meeting the other requirements. Other the change in writing within ten days after such change
counties also require a safety course for license issuance. occurs, and a record of such change shall be inscribed by
A license may be granted to an applicant who is of such licensee on the reverse side of his license. Failure to
good moral character, who is over 21 years of age, who notify of the change of residence may result in an inability
has not been convicted of a serious offense, who states to obtain amendments, and possible revocation of the
if and when he has ever been treated for mental illness, license.
who is not subject to a protective court order and to
whom no good cause exists for the denial of the license. CARRY
The age requirement shall not apply to persons honorably
discharged from the military. (Persons between age 18 and A license to possess a handgun serves also as a license
21 may possess a handgun at an indoor or outdoor pistol to carry unless restricted.
range located in or on premises owned or occupied by a A license to carry or possess a pistol or revolver, not
duly incorporated organization organized for conservation otherwise limited as to place or time of possession, shall
purposes or to foster proficiency in small arms. A person be effective throughout the state, except that the license
between the ages of 18 and 21 may also possess a handgun shall not be valid within the city of New York unless a
at a target pistol shooting competition under the auspices special permit granting validity is issued by the police
of or approved by the NRA and while under immediate commissioner of that city.
supervision). An applicant for a license to carry outside the home
An investigation will be conducted regarding all must be required to show, in addition to the requirement
statements required in the application. This includes for possession, that proper cause exists for the issuance of
taking the fingerprints and physical descriptive data of the a carry license, including, for example, target shooting,
applicant. One copy of the fingerprints will be forwarded hunting, or self-defense.
to the FBI for a search of the applicant’s criminal records. The license can be amended to include one or more
The failure or refusal of the FBI to make the fingerprint additional or different handguns. The licensee is required
check shall not constitute the sole basis for refusal to issue to carry the license on his person at all times when carrying
a permit. a handgun.
The licensing officer may, in his discretion, add A loaded handgun may be carried in a vehicle by
restrictions to the license, limiting the places where the a properly licensed individual. (Loaded means a firearm
handgun may be kept or carried. No demonstration of with ammunition loaded in magazine or chamber or any
need to possess is required to obtain an “on premises firearm which is possessed by one who at the same time
only,” license valid for one’s home or place of business. possesses a quantity of ammunition which may be used to
A demonstration of need must be shown, however, for a discharge such a firearm.) Possession of any loaded rifle or
license not restricted to one of those locations. shotgun in a vehicle is illegal.
An “on premises only” license authorizes the possession
of a handgun only at the location written on the license. NON-RESIDENTS
It does not authorize the holder to take such handgun to
any other place. (It should be noted further that an “on It is unlawful for any person to carry, possess or
premises only” license technically does not authorize the transport a handgun in or through the state unless he
holder even to transport the handgun from its place of has a valid New York license. (A provision of federal law
purchase to the location stated on the license.) provides a defense to state or local laws which would
Applications for licenses must be acted upon within 6 prohibit the passage of persons with firearms in interstate
months after presentment. If there is a delay, there must travel if the person is traveling from any place where he
be written notice to the applicant stating the reasons. may lawfully possess and transport a firearm to any other
Such delay may be excused for good cause only. place where he may lawfully possess and transport such
If issued, a license is valid until revoked, except in firearm and the firearm is unloaded and in the trunk. In
New York City where a license shall expire not more than vehicles without a trunk, the unloaded firearm shall be in
3 years after the date of issuance, and in Nassau, Suffolk a locked container other than the glove compartment or
and Westchester Counties where a license shall expire not console).
more than 5 years after the date of issuance. A member or coach of an accredited college or
A license fee is fixed by the board of supervisors in university target pistol team may transport a handgun
each county, with a $10.00 limit prescribed by state into or through New York to participate in a collegiate,
law. The Division of Criminal Justice Services sets the Olympic or target pistol shooting competition provided
that the handgun is unloaded and carried in a locked MACHINE GUNS
carrying case and the ammunition is carried in a separate
locked container. It is a felony for any person to manufacture, transport
Non-resident target shooters may enter or pass through or dispose of a machine gun. It is a felony to buy, receive,
New York State with handguns for the purposes of any dispose or conceal a machine gun that has been defaced
NRA approved competition or IHMSA sanctioned match, for the purpose of concealment.
within 48 hours of the competition, if the competitor has The presence in any room, dwelling, structure or
in his possession a copy of the match program, proof of vehicle of any machine gun is presumptive evidence of
entry and a pistol license from his state of residence. The unlawful possession by all persons occupying the place
handgun must be unloaded and transported in a locked where the machine gun is found.
opaque container. This provision does not apply in NY A machine gun is defined as any weapon from which a
cities not wholly contained within a single county or to number of shots or bullets may be rapidly or automatically
people with felony convictions. discharged from a magazine with one continuous pull of
Possession of firearms by a person who is a nonresident the trigger and includes a submachine gun.
of this state is lawful while attending or traveling to or
from an organized convention or exhibition approved by ASSAULT WEAPONS
the NRA, and in which the nonresident is a registered
participant within forty-eight hours of such event, It shall be unlawful to possess any “assault weapon”
provided that the nonresident has not been previously or “large capacity ammunition feeding device.” So called
convicted of a felony and further provided that the assault weapons lawfully possessed prior to September
firearms are transported unloaded in a locked opaque 14, 1994 and large capacity ammunition feeding devices
container together with a copy of the convention or manufactured prior to such date can continue to be
exhibition program, convention or exhibition schedule or lawfully possessed..
convention or exhibition registration card. This provision “Assault weapon” is defined as:
does not apply in NY cities not wholly contained within A semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable
a single county. magazine and has at least two of the following characteristics:
A non-immigrant alien may possess a rifle or shotgun • a folding or telescoping stock;
for use while hunting provided he has a valid hunting • a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the ac-
license issued by New York State and an approved gun tion of the weapon;
import form from the BATFE. • a bayonet mount;
ANTIQUES • a flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommo-
date a flash suppressor;
The New York definition of a firearm does not include • a grenade launcher.
an antique firearm. An antique firearm is any unloaded • A semiautomatic shotgun that has at least two of the following
muzzle loading pistol or revolver with a matchlock, characteristics:
flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition • a folding or telescoping stock;
system, or a pistol or revolver that uses fixed cartridges • a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the ac-
that are no longer available in the ordinary channels of tion of the weapon;
commercial trade. A license is not required to possess, • a fixed magazine capacity in excess of five rounds;
collect or carry an unloaded antique firearm. • an ability to accept a detachable magazine.
However, a license is required to possess, collect and • A semiautomatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detach-
carry antique pistols. The licensing statute defines an
antique pistol as: any single shot, muzzle loading pistol able magazine and has at least two of the following characteristics:
with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar • an ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol out-
type of ignition system manufactured in or before l898, side of the pistol grip;
which is not designed for using rim-fire or conventional • a threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender,
center-fire fixed ammunition; and any replica if such flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer;
replica is not designed or redesigned for using rim-fire • shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely en-
or conventional center-fire fixed ammunition, or uses circles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm
rim-fire or conventional center-fire fixed ammunition with the nontrigger hand without being burned;
which is no longer manufactured in the United States and • manufactured weight of fifty ounces or more when the
which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of pistol is unloaded.
commercial trade. To the extent that an “antique pistol” is • A semiautomatic version of an automatic rifle, shotgun or
not also an “antique firearm,” a license would be required
for lawful possession. firearm.
NY Law has interpreted this to mean antique rifles, • Any of the weapons, or functioning frames or receivers of such
shotguns, handguns, and replicas thereof, are generally weapons, or copies or duplicates of such weapons, in any caliber,
exempt from the above restrictions and can be bought and known as:
possessed without a permit. (Persons who shoot muzzle- • Norinco, Mitchell, and Poly Technologies Avtomat Kalash-
loading handguns must be properly licensed.) However, nikovs (All Models);
to fall within the exemption, antique handguns must be • Action Arms Israeli Military Industries UZI and Galil;
unloaded and possessed without the materials required • Beretta Ar70 (SC-70);
for loading. • Colt AR-15;
• Fabrique National FN/FAL, FN/LAR, and FNC;
• SWD M-10, M-11, M-11/9, and M-12; firearm toward another person (except in self-defense),
• Steyr AUG; even if no malice or injury is involved.
• INTRATEC TEC-9, TEC-DC9 and TEC-22; It is a crime to deface or alter the serial number or
• revolving cylinder shotguns, such as (or similar to) the any other distinguishing number or identification mark
Street Sweeper and Striker on any handgun, rifle or shotgun, or to buy, receive, or
• Assault weapons does not include: dispose of a defaced firearm. Possession of any firearm
• any rifle, shotgun or pistol that: is manually operated by that has been defaced creates a legal presumption that the
bolt, pump, lever or slide action; or has been rendered
possessor committed the offense.
The presence of a firearm in a vehicle is presumptive
permanently inoperable; or evidence of its possession by all persons occupying the
• An antique firearm as defined under federal law vehicle except if:
• A semiautomatic rifle that cannot accept a detachable • the firearm is found upon the person of one of the
magazine that holds more than five rounds of ammuni- occupants;
tion; • if the firearm is found in a vehicle operated for hire
• A semiautomatic shotgun that cannot hold more than five by a duly licensed driver, then the presumption will not
rounds of ammunition in a fixed or detachable magazine; apply to the driver, or
• A rifle, shotgun or pistol, or a replica or a duplicate there- • the firearm found is a handgun and one of the
of, specifically exempted from the federal assault weapon occupants has in his possession a valid license to have and
ban list as such weapon was manufactured on October 1, carry concealed.
1993.
It is unlawful to possess a bullet containing an
“Large capacity ammunition feeding device” means explosive substance designed to detonate upon impact or
a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device, possess any armor piercing ammunition with intent to
manufactured after September 13, 1994, that has a use unlawfully against another.
capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted Note: Unless otherwise noted, the word firearm in this
to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition. There digest is used in its general sense, as any rifle, shotgun, or
is an exception for an attached tubular device designed handgun. However, readers of the New York law should be
to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber aware that the term “firearm” when it appears in the text
rimfire ammunition. of the statutes, means only handguns and other firearms
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS of a size which may be concealed upon the person.
Any person lawfully in possession of a firearm who SOURCES: New York Consolidated Laws, Articles 265
suffers the loss or theft of said weapon shall report the and 400 of the Penal Law, Article 11 0901, 11-0929
facts and circumstances of the loss or theft to a police and 11-0931 of the Environmental Conservation Code;
department or sheriff ’s office within twenty-four hours of Article 26, Sections 396ee and 396ff; Article 39-B and
the discovery of the loss or theft. Article 39-DD of the General Business Code.
Illegal possession of a loaded firearm is a class C violent
felony, punishable by a minimum mandatory term of
three and a half years and a maximum of fifteen years.
It is unlawful to discharge a firearm so as the load
passes over any part of a public highway.
It is a crime to possess any rifle, shotgun or handgun
in or upon a building or grounds, used for educational
purposes, of any school, college or university. It is lawful,
however, to possess a rifle, shotgun or handgun in or
upon the forestry lands, wherever located, owned and
maintained by the State University of New York College
of environmental science and forestry, without the written
authorization of such educational institution.
It is unlawful to discharge a firearm within five
hundred feet from a dwelling house, farm building or
farm structure actually occupied or used, school building,
school playground, or occupied factory or church.
It is unlawful to willfully discharge any firearm either
in a public place, or in any place where there is any person
to be endangered thereby.
It is a crime to intentionally point or discharge any
CAUTION: Firearm laws are subject to frequent change and court interpretation. This summary is not intended as legal advice or
restatement of law. This summary does not include federal or local laws, ordinances or regulations. For any particular situation, a
licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL
AND LOCAL.
This may be reproduced. It may not be reproduced for commercial purposes.